I’ve got to ask this question,but first let me explain. I’m building my collection of 1/48th aircraft. I would like to have at least one ACURATE model of whatever craft I’m buying. I’m not fixated on the body panel type problems as the SHAPE issues,so here we go.
I’m researching our british friends Spitfire, needless to say but what a fantastic bird! Gots to have one! I’m not sure how we all check on a kit purchace, but on line reviews is what I type on the line first. I can’t seem to find one model of a spit that has all the correct shapes! It seams like the fusalage is good and then wings aren’t right, or the other way around, some reviews think the dihidral is wrong or the engine shroud is shaped wrong. Like I explained earlier these kind of shape issues kind of bug me. I like to think my model is as close to the real girl as possible (don’t we all, thats what its all about).
Alright here’s the question, does anyone know who makes the most acurate model of a Spitfire? I’m not too pickey about what number or version that it is as long as it is shaped correctly. Has anyone combined two or more kits to make one perfect Spit? Thank you so much for any info you can provide.
You have to be specific by Mark. The Tamiya Mark I is quite good I think. The best Mark IX or XVI is the ICM kit in my opinion. The Airfix new kits of the 22/24 and Seafires are pretty good. These are all 1/48. In 1/32 you can’t go wrong with Tamiya.
The Airfix Mk. XII is also supposed to be very nice as well. With so many good Spitfire kits available in 1/48, it really is a case of what Mark you prefer to get a more specific answer.
Thank you for the replies The eduard kit looks good but one reviewer found cowl issues This is the way it lookes to me I could buy dozens of 1/48th kits cut them up then try to piece together an accurate mark whatever number. Maybe manufacturers should come out with a kit that could be built this way and solve the whole problem. I was just hoping there was a kit whatever mark number that already was right shape-wise out of the box Thanks men keep on gluing…
It seems as if you are looking for the “perfect” kit OOB - this doesn’t exist no matter what the subject. You have to decide what you can live with being off, and what you are able to correct to your satisfaction.
I wouldn’t trust any reviewer 100%. Just because someone doesn’t like a cowling or wing shape, doesn’t mean its not accurate. You’ll just have to pick a kit and decide for yourself if you like it. I don’t recall anything being out of wack on the new Eduard kit.
There is always SOMEBODY out there who finds SOMETHING wrong with any given kit. I do think it may be something of an ego issue as these folks have to proclaim to the worls “look at what I know and what I found wrong!!!”. And then again their source reference material may or may not be correct. If you want a Spitfire kit that is in “subassemblies” offering lots of options out of the box, look for the ICM kits. If you do not use their gorgeous engine and firewall it is supposed to go togehter very well and is quite accurate in shape for its variants. If you do use the engine, be prepared for some surgery or fit issues. I have a stalled build project on one myself due to those. In a nutshell choose a it, find some built up photos of it and comare tehm to photos of the real thing. If YOU think it looks right for your needs, get it. I personally love the Academy late Mark Spits, but they do need the Ultracast replacement spinners to look right.
Thank you for the info, your right about the reviewers but I have to start somewhere. I buy fine scale mag for this reason. You guys are correct about the eduard bird too, looks really good from what I see and read. Thanks again for trying to get this old airman to fly straight.
Like Stick said, its not possible as someone will always find an issue somewhere. We call them 'rivet counters". To keep things in perspective, in the end it is after all a plastic kit. I go by the motto…“it looks like a (insert subject) to me”, otherwise you will drive yourself crazy in this hobby. To offer a suggestion, for early marks (I and V), go with Tamiya…great kits. The Hasegawa V isn’t bad either. For the IX, the new Eduard kit is supposed to be right on. I had no complaints when I built it. I think the issues your referring to are in “design” of the cowl (two piece…silly), not so much accuracy. I can’t help with later marks…
For the later mark Spits in 1/48, you have Airfix & Academy. I have already mentioned the spinner needing replacement on the Academy kits. But the fix is out there for a few dollars. OOB they build up beautifully. I have yet to build either of the late Mark Airfix kits in my stash, but in the box they do look nice!